The Toronto Raptors are an interesting team to keep an eye on this summer. They finished 30-52, which is good for 11th in the Eastern Conference.
But, the Raptors have a talented core with RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes leading the way. What they need next is some star player to come to town in hopes of pushing them right back into the playoff conversation.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst mentioned the Raptors as one team looking to land one of the "big fish" this summer, so there could be a lot of rumblings in Toronto.
One player that is on the market is Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. However, the Raptors' interest in the three-time All-Star has been shut down, per Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.
I’ve never heard his name in a conversation with anybody involved with the Raptors for a year and a half. They’re pretty happy with Jakob Poeltl with two years left in his deal at 20 million a year. Sabonis is a great player. No question about it. But I’ve never heard his name linked to Toronto. Anybody who I’ve talked to in the Raptors front office has never talked as a guy as that they would like to pursue."
Jakob Poeltl, the 2016 No. 9 overall pick, averaged 14.5 points with 9.6 rebounds this past season, which are both career-highs.
Plus. Sabonis' contract is hefty. He signed a five-year deal worth $217 million in the summer of 2023, which is a far steeper price than Poeltl's four-year, $80 million deal.
So, any talks of Sabonis coming to Toronto should be put to bed, at least for now.
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